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ISS Urges Apple Investors to Reject Proposal to Eliminate DEI Policies

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Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), a prominent proxy advisory firm, recommended on Friday that Apple investors vote against a proposal to remove the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. ISS argued that Apple’s disclosures provide shareholders with adequate information regarding its DEI initiatives, with no controversies or evidence of discrimination against any employee groups.

Apple’s board also urged shareholders to reject the proposal, asserting that it already has a robust compliance program in place. The board further argued that the proposal would unreasonably limit the company’s ability to manage its operations, personnel, and overall business strategy.

The annual meeting, where the vote will take place, is scheduled for February 25. Apple did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

In recent years, large U.S. corporations, including Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon, have faced increasing pressure to abandon their DEI initiatives, especially in the wake of conservative pushback and a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action in college admissions.

The proposal against Apple’s diversity policies was put forth by the National Center for Public Policy Research, a free-market think tank, which had also requested that Costco Wholesale evaluate the risks of maintaining its DEI programs. However, shareholders at Costco overwhelmingly rejected the proposal in January.

Google Ends Diversity Hiring Targets and Reviews DEI Programs

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Google has announced the removal of its diversity-based hiring targets, marking a shift in its approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. The company also revealed that it is reviewing its DEI initiatives, joining other U.S. businesses that are scaling back similar programs.

In an email to staff, Fiona Cicconi, Alphabet’s chief people officer, explained that the company’s previous “aspirational” hiring goals, set in 2020, would no longer be pursued. These goals aimed to increase representation, particularly in offices outside of California and New York. In 2020, CEO Sundar Pichai had set a target to have 30% of Google’s leadership positions filled by people from underrepresented groups by 2025. However, recent updates on this goal were not provided in Alphabet’s annual filing to the SEC, which also saw the removal of a statement that previously emphasized the company’s commitment to diversity.

Google had been at the forefront of promoting inclusive policies, particularly after the 2020 protests against racial injustice. At the time, the company faced criticism from some within its ranks, including a prominent AI leader, who criticized the diversity efforts. Despite some progress in reaching its goals, such as meeting 60% of its five-year target, Google is now shifting its focus away from setting specific diversity targets.

The move has drawn backlash from some workers and activists, including Parul Koul, president of the Alphabet Workers Union (AWU), who criticized the company’s decision as a setback for progress made in the tech industry. Koul also expressed concerns over broader anti-worker trends, particularly from right-wing groups targeting DEI efforts.

In addition to its internal changes, Google is reviewing its DEI programs in light of recent U.S. court decisions and Executive Orders that have impacted federal contractors’ obligations around diversity initiatives. However, the company will maintain internal employee resource groups, such as “Trans at Google,” “Black Googler Network,” and “Disability Alliance,” which will continue to influence product and policy decisions.

This move aligns with similar actions taken by other major tech companies. Meta Platforms, for example, announced in January that it was ending its DEI programs, and Amazon also signaled a reduction in its diversity efforts.

 

Meta and Amazon Scale Back Diversity Programs Ahead of Trump’s Inauguration

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Meta Platforms and Amazon have decided to scale back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential inauguration, with the return of Donald Trump to office intensifying conservative opposition to such initiatives.

Both companies, which had previously ramped up their diversity efforts in response to protests following the police killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans in 2020, are now adjusting their policies in light of a changing legal and political landscape. Meta is halting its DEI programs, which included initiatives focused on hiring, training, and selecting suppliers. The decision was shared with employees in an internal memo on Friday and follows a series of actions that have attracted support from conservative circles. In the past two weeks, Meta has dismantled its U.S. fact-checking program, appointed Republican Joel Kaplan as its Chief Global Affairs Officer, and added UFC CEO Dana White—a close associate of Trump—to its board. The company also made headlines by contributing $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund in December, signaling a shift in its political positioning.

Similarly, Amazon has begun winding down its diversity-related programs and materials, with plans to complete this process by the end of 2024. The decision was outlined in a memo seen by Reuters, which highlighted the company’s intention to phase out what it considered “outdated” programs on representation and inclusion.

The conservative backlash against DEI programs has been emboldened by legal developments, including a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action in university admissions. Critics, including figures like Elon Musk, have targeted DEI initiatives, accusing them of hindering business responses to crises, such as the wildfires in Los Angeles, despite lacking evidence to support these claims.

Janelle Gale, Meta’s Vice President of Human Resources, acknowledged in the memo that the legal and policy environment surrounding DEI efforts is evolving. She pointed to recent rulings, including a decision by a U.S. appeals court in December that blocked Nasdaq from enforcing diversity requirements for corporate boards. Gale also noted that the term “DEI” has become contentious, with some viewing it as promoting preferential treatment for certain groups.

As part of its restructuring, Meta will no longer have a dedicated team for DEI efforts. Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams will transition to a new role focused on accessibility and engagement, marking a significant shift in the company’s approach to diversity initiatives.